My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Xiao He was startled.

Reborn!

These four words carry considerable weight.

Xiao He, as an observer, clearly saw all the changes in Liu Shan.

When Liu Shan returned to the capital, all the officials who came to greet him knelt down to pay their respects, but Liu Shan alone did not kowtow.

During the military discussion just now, it was Liu Shan who was the first to guess his plan to "cross the river on ice".

Some even volunteered to lead an army to attack Wei in order to establish their authority within the military.

This difference in character, this wisdom, this strategy, this courage—it's worlds apart from the original Liu Shan.

Liu Shan underwent a truly remarkable transformation.

What Xiao He didn't expect was that Kongming would use the phrase "completely transformed" to describe Liu Shan.

what does this mean?
This means that Liu Shan underwent a fundamental change, becoming a completely different person from the inside out!

Liu Shan is no longer "Liu Shan".

"A complete transformation... Brother Kongming, is the Crown Prince's change really that great?"

Xiao He was skeptical, feeling that Zhuge Liang had exaggerated somewhat.

Zhuge Liang, however, put away his smile and said seriously:

"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, the future emperor of the Han Dynasty, a matter of national importance. How could I dare to exaggerate?"

The doubt in Xiao He's eyes faded.

Zhuge Liang was always meticulous in his words and deeds, and since he stayed in Ye City, he was naturally the most qualified to speak on the changes in Liu Shan.

"A complete transformation...?"

Xiao He pondered for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his lips:

"There's nothing wrong with a complete transformation. As things stand, the changes in our Crown Prince are at least beneficial to the country, and that's enough."

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and smiled faintly:
"That's what I was thinking too, but I just wanted to remind you, Brother Bowen, so that you won't be caught off guard when you go to the East Palace tomorrow."

Upon hearing Zhuge Liang's words, Xiao He became even more curious. What dramatic changes had occurred in this Crown Prince of Han that made Zhuge Liang describe him as having undergone a "complete transformation"?

...

The next day.

Just as dawn broke, the Crown Prince sent a carriage to the Grand Marshal's residence, saying that the Crown Prince had specially sent someone to fetch Xiao He to the palace ahead of time, wanting to hear Xiao He's opinion before all the officials gathered.

Xiao He had no choice but to get up from Guan Yinping's gentle embrace, quickly wash up, and get into the carriage.

The carriages and horses passed through the deserted streets and headed straight for the East Palace.

Xiao He had just stepped off the carriage when he looked up and saw Liu Shan already waiting outside the palace gate.

"Grand Marshal, I hope I didn't disturb your peaceful sleep by inviting you here so early in the morning."

Before Xiao He could even get off the carriage, Liu Shan greeted him with a smile as he descended the steps.

The Crown Prince personally came out of his residence to greet him... This was clearly Liu Shan's way of deliberately lowering his stance and showing respect for him as Grand Marshal.

It seems that this crown prince has continued his father's fine tradition of treating scholars with respect...

Xiao He hurriedly jumped down from the carriage, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled:
"Your Highness is too kind. It was I who kept Your Highness waiting. Please forgive me."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Shan invited Xiao He into the Eastern Palace.

As they walked, Xiao He quickly noticed something unusual.

First of all, there were no eunuchs in the Eastern Palace.

Along the way, apart from guards, there were only palace maids; not a single eunuch was seen.

Secondly, whether they were guards or palace maids, they should have knelt and bowed to the Crown Prince.

However, the guards and maids of the Eastern Palace, upon seeing Liu Shan, did not even kneel or bow, but merely nodded in greeting. Liu Shan, being quite "approachable," did not ignore them and responded with a slight nod.

"Does the Grand Marshal have something to ask me? Please speak freely."

Liu Shan, with his keen eyes, noticed the curiosity in Xiao He's eyes during their conversation and took the initiative to ask.

Xiao He didn't say anything, but just smiled faintly:
"Your Highness is wise and insightful. You should be able to guess what I am curious about without me having to say it."

Liu Shan suddenly slowed down and glanced back at Xiao He.

Clearly, Zhuge Liang or other ministers had questioned these changes in his residence before this.

But those people couldn't contain their curiosity and took the initiative to ask him questions.

Xiao He, however, was different from the others. He seemed to easily suppress his curiosity and take the initiative.

"The Grand Marshal truly lives up to his reputation as a celestial being, indeed unlike ordinary mortals..."

Liu Shan clicked his tongue in admiration, then pointed to the guards and palace attendants on his left and right:
“Eunuchs were all poor people from humble backgrounds. Selling themselves into slavery was tragic enough, but they also had to endure castration and be cut with a knife. It was truly pitiful.”

"Because I couldn't bear it, I gave them money and silk and sent them back to their hometowns. I also ordered that eunuchs should no longer be used to serve the Crown Prince."

Xiao He suddenly realized why there were no eunuchs in the Eastern Palace.

It turns out that this Crown Prince had taken pity on the eunuchs and had banned them from the Eastern Palace.

This reason was truly unexpected for Xiao He.

Throughout history, there have been many benevolent nobles, but a crown prince like Liu Shan, who was so compassionate that he banned eunuchs, is truly a rare breed.

Could it be that this crown prince has inherited Liu's benevolent and righteous character, and even surpassed his master?

If that were the case, Xiao He would indeed have some respect for this Crown Prince.

"As for the guards and maids in my palace, they do not kneel before me, which is also my instruction."

"I believe that there is no distinction between noble and lowly people. I, as the crown prince, am no different from them. I am just luckier than them because I was born into an imperial family."

"Since there is no distinction between noble and lowly, why should they kneel before me?"

Liu Shan then elaborated on another reason.

Xiao He's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly turned to look at Liu Chan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Liu Shan's idea was a bit ahead of its time...

His father was kind and righteous, not only treating his subjects well, but also treating these maids and servants well, and never blaming them for minor offenses.

Unexpectedly, Liu Shan went even further, putting forward the idea that "people are equal regardless of social status" and putting it into practice!

Xiao He now finally understood why Zhuge Liang described Liu Shan's changes as a complete transformation.

"Does the Grand Marshal perhaps think that what I did was wrong?"

Seeing that Xiao He looked dazed, Liu Shan asked him casually.

Xiao He's eyes flickered slightly as he came back to his senses.

Well, Liu Shan inherited his father's benevolence and righteousness, and even doubled it, which is certainly a good thing.

His idea of ​​treating people equally regardless of social status is not entirely wrong.

However, in Xiao He's opinion, the Crown Prince's thinking was a bit too radical.

Regardless of the ideology, it must be matched with the actual productive forces.

Ideas can be slightly ahead of their time, guiding the direction of productivity development, but they shouldn't be too far ahead of their time.

As the old saying goes, "If you take too big a step, you're more likely to go astray..."

Xiao He's thoughts raced as he secretly observed Liu Shan, a hint of doubt gradually creeping into his eyes.

Faced with Liu Shan's complete transformation, he couldn't help but wonder whether the Crown Prince's many acts of benevolence were truly from the heart or merely a performance. (End of Chapter)